Bee and Flower Sandalwood Soap

I was walking passed a small shop in Chinatown that had a bunch of random things out in front of their store front. After seeing this Sandalwood soap, I decided to give it a try since it was only $2 and it smelled relatively good. I am not a huge Sandalwood fan but my SO is. The soap is apparently more wide known that I thought it was. It is particularly well known for it’s Oriental packaging. The vegetable oil soap base is hand milled and contains no artificial fragrances. The soap provides a generous lather and left my skin feeling soft. However, I still had to follow up with lotion.

Book Review - Multiple Listings by Tracy McMillan

Photo Credit - Amazon

Nicki Daniels has learned how to live on her own since she was young. She learned how to depend on no one and how to take care of herself and her son. However, her life is about to be turn upside down when her career con father comes to visit and moves in with her, her son, and her boyfriend. Family drama fills the pages of the book when each of the characters wants different things. Will the be able to get along? Will Nicki be able to forgive her father?

The comedic novel is filled with humor, plot twists and bonds between family and friends with little gems of friendship, relationship and forgiveness sprinkled in. Personally, I didn't really care for the main character; I found her rather boring and a bit annoying. The story seemed one dimensional and lacked depth. I was expecting more from this novel and not just a "cozy read' where there isn't much going on. 

**Disclosure - I received an unedited ebook copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion**

Book Review - The Secret Language of Sisters by Luanne Rice

Photo Credit - Amazon

A heartwarming tale of two inseparable sisters coping when a tragedy strikes leaving one of them paralyzed. Tilly's text message is the reason for Roo being in the hospital bed. Roo and Tilly are not only sisters but best friends. They are able to read and understand each other when no one else can. When Roo is lying in the hospital struggling for someone to understand her; Tilly is able to tell that her sister isn't in a coma and needs help. Roo went from being the independent older sister who takes care of her younger sister, Tilly to relying on others.  Will Roo and Tilly be able to to move past this and be together again? Will they be able to keep their bond intact?

I never had a sister but reading this novel made me wish I had one. Not to say growing up with a brother was horrible (although, the endless days of torturing...) but I sometimes wonder if I would have a strong bond as Roo and Tilly. But having a sibling, always does give you this bond of knowing someone will there for you even if you are at each other's throat. The special bond knowing you are never alone and growing up in the same house and sharing the sam experiences but turning out completely different. The book made me realize sometimes we just don't realize how lucky we are to be alive and we are holders of our future and actions. No one can't make us do something we don't want to do and we are responsible for the outcome of our actions.

**Disclosure - I received an uncorrected copy of this book from a giveaway for my honest opinion**

Book Review - The Travelers by Chris Pavone

Photo Credit: Amazon

The newest book from New York Times bestselling author, The Travelers by Chris Pavone is a fast pace international spy thriller. Will Rhodes is like most Americans -- newly married at a job where he can barely make ends meet. As each day passes, Will contemplates his life, did he marry the right woman and should he switch career paths? On one of his assignments, he becomes entrance with a fellow travel writer and finds it hard to stop thinking about her. After a series of bad decisions, Will is thrown into one dangerous situation after another. It becomes very clear that he can't trust anyone and everyone has a secret they are willing to kill for.

While, the book was a page turner; I found some parts to be boring. The characters were realistic and fully developed but I can't say I was rooting for any of them. Almost half way thorough the book, you start to realize where the book is handing and the plot becomes predictable. A good read if you are a fan of the genre/author but I wouldn't see myself rereading this book again.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion**

Shara Shara Memebox

My most recent splurge was this Shara Shara Memebox. It came with a wide assortment of products. I haven't tried out any of the products  but I read many good things about the Honey Bomb ampoule and I am really excited to try that. I will post some reviews soon~ :)

Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Rouge Pur Coulture Le Rouge

The bright red orangey lipstick goes on smoothly. It is very creamy but it doesn't have much staying power though. It is a nice color but I am probably not going to buy it again though.

Book Review - The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts by Maja Säfström

Photo Credit - Amazon

Did you know some butterflies don't ever eat? This cute coffee table book is filled with curious and random animal facts.The black and white illustrated book is short and can be read and appreciated under an hour. It's easy to read and quite entertaining for both kids and adults. A cute addition to any animal lover's book collection!

Marc Jacobs VIB Rouge Lipstick

Ahh, the very last day I got my Rouge renewal. :) Although, this year I am thinking of sitting out. There are not many great perks or even benefits and supposedly it's going to be better this year.  The lipstick goes on creamy and is a pretty color but doesn't have much staying power.

Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam Step 1

The twice daily cleansing foam promises to help clear skin and prevent acne. It removes dirt, excess oil and unclogs pores to leave face squeaky clean. When used as part of the clear skin system protocol, it  reduces active blemishes by 37% in 3 days. I don’t have many blemishes just the here and there stray pimple and then the dark spot that refuses to go away. The foaming cleanser had a slight medicinal scent and provided a rich lather. I didn’t purchase this foam to use as a part of the Clinique cleansing protocol but as a basic cleanser to use. I didn’t notice much of a difference over my regular drugstore cleanser. I still got the occasional pimple or cluster of small pimples on my face. I think I will stick to my regular cleanser and avoid paying the mark up.

Book Review - The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson

**May Contain Spoilers**

The thrilling novel that reads likes a first hand account of World's Fair and the serial killer that lurked in the darkness. Larson combed through archives and narrates the lives of the men who build the World's Fair and Holmes through first hand accounts and historical documents. 

The novel was masterfully written and highly engaging. However, it fell short in keeping the readers interested to the very end. In the beginning, there was an even back and forth between the World's Fair and Holmes while slowly towards the latter of the book, it felt that the World's Fair dominated the entire book while Homes was an afterthought. Each of the two events should have been it's own book as the novel only scraped the top of the iceberg so to speak in the complexities of the mens' lives. A good read to learn more about the World's Fair and the struggles along with the achievements of building it.

Il Frutteto di Nesti Fig and Almond Milk Soothing Soap

The beautifully printed wrapper hides an even more alluring treat. The fig and almond milk enriched soap is handmade using traditional processes. The extra fine vegetable soap is developed in the fields of Florentine orchard. The delicately scented soap goes on smoothly and doesn’t leave a film. It leaves skin buttery soft and delicately scented.